# Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara

Abduljabbar Nasuru Kabara (born 7 February 1970) Abduljabbar is a Nigerian controversial Islamic cleric and a Qadiriyya scholar based in Kano, Nigeria, accused of blasphemy towards the Islamic prophet Muhammad. He is the son of Nasuru Kabara, the former leader of the Qadiriyya sect of West Africa and a junior brother to Karibullah Nasir Kabara the successor of their late father.

## Early life

Abduljabbar was born in Kabara town in the city of Kano State, Nigeria, to the family of the prominent Qadiriyya leader of West Africa Sheikh Nasir Kabara. His mother's name is Hajiya Hafsah Abdussamad. He is a brother to Qaribullahi Nasuru Kabara, who took over leadership of the Qadiriyya Movement in Nigeria on the death of their father in 1996.

## Education

Like all others of the Kabara family, Abduljabbar attended Ma'ahad School. He received further education at Aliya and ATC Gwale, then moved to Iraq to advance his studies. He says that he obtained most of his education from his father for almost 25 years of his life.

## Islamic faith

Abduljabbar throughout his life was well known as a Qadiriyya follower and a scholar in Muslims communities in Nigeria, following the footsteps of his father. In 2020 he expressed his faith as a Shia believer during an interview with BBC Hausa, saying "after a thoroughly long time research which I have made by myself, I realized that Shi'a have more scriptural evidence over Sunni Islam in that aspect". He said "I will not bother myself if you call me a Shi'a, but I'll be concerned with calling me a Sunni".

## Personal life

He is a son of Sheikh Nasiru Kabara and Hajiya Hafsah Adussamad, is married, and has children.

## Islamic debate

Abduljabbar was held captive by Kano State Government, after the Kano State Islamic scholars from Izala Society, Salafiyya, Tijaniyyah and Qadiriyya according to (Muhammad bashiru ndatsu) reported Abduljabbar to the state government. The Kano State government wants to give Abduljabbar a chance to present his scriptural evidence.
On 10 Saturday, July 2021, the government of Kano State officially organized the debate
The debate was chaired by Professor Salisu Shehu from Bayero University Kano, also in watch of Commissioner for Religious Affairs Kano State, the chairman of the debate Professor Salisu Shehu declared that Abduljabbar did not answer a single question asked by the other scholars, He said "Abduljabbar dodged questions by giving irrelevant information or saying there's no time to make references from the over five hundreds books which He brought to the debate, although he have assistants to assist him, while the other scholars have given references and answers to Abduljabbar's questions directly".

## Criticism

Abduljabbar was considered one of the most controversial Muslim scholars in Kano State. He was accused by majority of Nigerian Islamic clerics for blasphemy against companions of the prophet indirectly and to Muhammad himself, the alleged blasphemy causing a lot of quarrels and objections from Nigerian Islamic scholars from Izala Movement in Nigeria, Salafi movement and some Ɗarika clerics, especially his brother Qaribullahi Nasuru Kabara who rejected his entire fatwa, saying it had nothing to do with Qadiriyya. As a result of the accusations and possibilities of chaos, the Government of Kano State under the leadership of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje closed his mosque and banned Abduljabbar from teaching and making Da'awah in the state of Kano. Abduljabbar during an interview with BBC Hausa he said the act of the Kano State government for banning him is injustice. The state government denied the demolition of Abduljabbar's school in the State after a rumor they have heard in the State. Sheikh Abduljabbar kabara Kabara has consistently argued that he did not commit blasphemy. He has maintained that his interpretations of Islamic texts are based on scholarly research and are not meant to disrespect or insult Islamic teachings or the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
Sheikh Abduljabbar has stated that his teachings and lectures are intended to encourage critical thinking and a deeper understanding of Islam. He has also claimed that his detractors misunderstand his views or have misrepresented them to incite public anger against him. Throughout his legal battle, he has emphasized that his goal is to promote knowledge and debate within the Islamic community, rather than to blaspheme or undermine the faith.
The ongoing controversy and legal proceedings have sparked widespread debate about the limits of religious interpretation, freedom of speech, and the handling of religious disputes in Nigeria.
They argued that while his interpretations of certain Islamic texts were unconventional and controversial, they did not amount to blasphemy. Some of these scholars have also pointed out that the Sharia court's decision was overly harsh and did not adequately consider the nuances of his arguments or the possibility of different interpretations of Islamic teachings(https://ifex.org/nigerian-muslim-cleric-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy/)(https://www.herald.ng/blasphemy-what-kano-cleric-abduljabbar-nasiru-kabara-said-before-bagging-death-sentence-in-court/).
Specific scholars and clerics who supported Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara include:
1. Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi: A prominent Sufi leader, who initially called for a peaceful resolution of the issues surrounding Abduljabbar's teachings, expressing concern over how the accusations could lead to division within the Muslim community.
2. Sheikh Abdulwahab Abdallah: Another Islamic scholar who argued that Abduljabbar’s interpretations should be debated academically rather than being criminalized. He emphasized that differences in interpretation are common in Islamic scholarship and should not be met with such severe punishment.
3. Mallam Abubakar Imam Aliyu: He expressed concern that the trial was more politically motivated than religiously justified, advocating for a reconsideration of the case to avoid injustice](https://ifex.org/nigerian-muslim-cleric-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy/)](https://www.herald.ng/blasphemy-what-kano-cleric-abduljabbar-nasiru-kabara-said-before-bagging-death-sentence-in-court/).
These scholars and others have urged for a more nuanced approach to handling religious differences, emphasizing the importance of scholarly debate over punitive measures. In addition to the scholars previously mentioned, others who have spoken in defense of Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara include:
1. Dr. Ahmad Gumi A prominent Nigerian Islamic scholar, who has previously argued for the need for intellectual freedom in religious discourse. Although he did not specifically defend all of Abduljabbar’s views, he criticized the blasphemy charges, suggesting that religious debates should be settled through dialogue rather than through legal or punitive measures.
2. Sheikh Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa. A Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, who argued that religious interpretations should be discussed and resolved within scholarly circles. He advocated for a more inclusive approach to Islamic jurisprudence, where differing opinions could coexist without leading to severe punishments.
3. Professor Ibrahim Ahmad Maqari The Chief Imam of the National Mosque in Abuja, who pointed out that the tradition of Islamic scholarship allows for diverse interpretations, and argued that the legal proceedings against Abduljabbar were excessively harsh.
These scholars, along with various other Islamic intellectuals and civil society organizations, have highlighted the importance of tolerance and dialogue in religious matters, calling for the protection of intellectual and academic freedom within the context of Islamic discourse.

## Imprisonment

On 17 July 2021, he was accused of blasphemy towards Muhammad and was imprisoned
On 15 December 2022, upper Shari'a Court in Kano sentenced Abduljabbar to death by hanging after he was found guilty of blasphemy against Muhammad. The case was being appealed in 2024.